How to Open Your Saltwater Swimming Pool

Get ready to effortlessly open your above ground saltwater pool with the essential pool supplies outlined below. Follow our clear instructions, provided by The Pool Factory's Above Ground Pool Experts, to navigate the process seamlessly. Whether it's prepping your pool or treating the water, these straightforward steps are applicable to both above ground and semi inground pools.

Spring Start Up Kit for Chlorinated, Pool Frog, or Saltwater Pools up to 25,000 Gallons

Saltwater Series Chemical Maintenance Kit with Test Kits

Saltwater Series Oxidizing Shock

Saltwater Series Alkalinity Increaser & Decreaser

Saltwater Series pH Increaser & Decreaser

Saltwater Series Stabilizer

Filter Media

Filter Cartridge

Pool Check 4 In 1 Chlorine Test Kit

Pool Check Salt Test Kit

Step 1

Remove the Winter Pool Cover and Air Pillow:

• Use a pool cover pump to remove any water that may have accumulated on top of the winter cover. Pool cover pumps can be found here → Pool Cover Pumps
• Once the water is removed from the cover remove any debris that you find on the cover.
• Carefully remove the pool cover.

Step 2

Clean and store the Winter Pool Cover:

• Allow the Winter Cover to dry completely before folding or rolling it up for storage.

Step 3

Reconnect pool equipment:

• Lubricate O-Rings included with your equipment (filter, pump, and saltwater system). O-Ring Lubricant can be found here → Lube Tube O-Ring Lubricant-Sealant 1.oz
• Reconnect the pool pump, filter, saltwater system and any other disconnected equipment.
• Inspect filter hoses and connections for any signs of damage and replace if necessary. Replacement filter hoses can be found here → Filter Hoses

Step 4

Remove the skimmer winterizing plate from the skimmer opening and remove the winter plug from the pool return opening:

• If you are removing the Skimmer Winterizing Plate (Plastic) you must reinstall the original screws that were inlcuded with your thru-wall skimmer. Replacement skimmer screws can be found here → WideMouth Skimmer Replacement Screw Set
• If you are removing the Stainless Steel Skimer Winter Plate you will reinstall the same screws into the Skimmer Face Plate.
• If you are using the Aquador Winter Skimmer Plate, simply remove the plastic cover from the face plate.
• Reinstall threaded return eyeball fitting that was removed before installing plug.

Step 5

Check and adjust water level:

• Fill the pool to the proper water level if needed. The first screw down from the top of the skimmer is a good marker to see if you need to add any water. How to Determine the Proper Water Level in Your Pool

Step 6

Clean and vaccum the pool:

• Use a pool brush to clean the pool walls and floor. Pool Maintenance Kits can be found here → Pool Maintenance
• Vacuum the pool or use an Automatic Pool Cleaner to remove any remaining debris. Automatic Pool Cleaners can be found here → Automatic Pool Cleaners
• Remove leaves and debris from the skimmer basket.

Step 7

Begin running the filtration system:

• Turn on the filter system allowing the water to circulate.

Step 8

Test the pool water:

• Use the Pool Check 4 In 1 Chlorine Test Kit to check the pool water chemistry, including pH, Alkalinity, Chlorine Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid) and Free Chlorine levels. Test Kits can be found here → Test Kits
• Use the Pool Check Salt Test Kit to check the Salt Level in the pool water. You can find the test kit here → Pool Check Salt Test Kit (16 Strips)

Step 9

Balance the water chemistry:

• Adjust pH and Alkalinity levels as needed. pH and Alkalinity balancers can be found here → Pool Chemicals
• Here are the optimal pH and Alkaline levels: pH - 7.2 to 7.6 |Total Alkalinity - 80 to 120 ppm
• Adjust the salt level as needed. The ideal salt level is between 2700-3400 ppm (parts per million). Add more Pool Salt if the ppm is below 2700.

Step 10

Add Spring Start Up Kit:

• Add contents of the Spring Start Up Kit following manufacturer's instructions on the label (Includes 3 lbs of Maintain Pool Pro Multi Purpose Shock, 2 lbs Spring Start-Up Powder, 2 lbs Sequestering Agent)
• Allow the filter system to run for at least 24 hours to circulate and filter the pool water.

Spring Start Up Kit for Chlorinated, Pool Frog, or Saltwater Pools up to 25,000 Gallons

Add To Cart

Spring Start Up Kit for Chlorinated, Pool Frog, or Saltwater Pools up to 25,000 Gallons

Add To Cart

Step 11

Allow the chlorine level to decrease from shock:

• Use a test kit to make sure chlorine level is in the safe range. A good chlorine level is between 1.0 and 3.0 parts per million (ppm)
• Add Saltwater Series Stabilizer at a rate of 2 lbs per 6,000 gallons of pool water. Stabilizer can be found here → Saltwater Series Stabilizer
• The proper range for Stabilizer should be between 60-80 ppm.

Step 12

Regular Maintenance:

• Adjust your Saltwater System so it maintains a chlorine level between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm. (Refer to your Saltwater System's user manual)
• Test and adjust your alkalinity and pH levels weekly, after heavy use and after heavy rain.
• Test the salt level in your pool water each week. Add salt to bring the salt level between 2700 and 3400 as neccessary. 
• Test the Stabilizer (cyanuric acid) levels in your pool using the Pool Check 4 in 1 Test Kit. Maintain levels between 60 to 80 ppm. Add Saltwater Series Stabilizer if you need to raise the cyanuric acid level.